Theater Review – THE COLOR PURPLE – Kansas City

The Color Purple
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – Kansas City, Missouri
January 16, 2018

 

Since it’s publication in 1983, Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” has won many awards.  The Pulitzer.   A couple of Tonys.  Heck, if it wasn’t for some bizarre Steven Spielberg backlash the 1985 film version would have one a couple of Oscars.

 

The musical version of “The Color Purple” opened on Broadway in 2005, closing after running for over two years.  In 2016 the show returned to Broadway, where it won the Tony award for Best Revival of a Musical.  Now the show is on the road and it is definitely not one to miss.

 

The show begins in rural Georgia in 1909.  We meet sisters Nettie (N’jameh Camara) and Celie (Adrianna Hicks).  Nettie is smart and wants to be a teacher.  Celie has always been mistreated and is about to give birth to her second child – by her stepfather.  The baby is born and given away.  We meet Mister (an amazing Gavin Gregory), a widower looking to marry Nettie.  However, when told she is unavailable he settles for Celie, thinking of her not as a wife but as someone to raise his kids and clean his house.    Not exactly a honeymoon.

 

Powerfully told, “The Color Purple” is fairly faithful to the book and film many people will be familiar with.  Many of the familiar characters are here:  Sofia (Carrie Compere), Harpo (J. Daughtry), Squeak (Erica Durham) and, of course, the amazing Shug Avery (Carla R. Stewart).  The story is presented on a minimalistic stage, which consists mostly of a set of risers and a set of wooden chairs.  But the show moves smoothly (though a little slow in the first act) and the cast is amazing.  Both Ms. Hicks and Ms. Stewart have the power to bring down the house with their vocals.  As Sofia, my favorite character in every incarnation of this story, Ms. Compere is both funny and heartbreaking. And I must make special mention of Mr. Gregory, who manages to make a character as dark and seemingly heartless as Mister sympathetic.

 

If you’re familiar with the story, you will genuinely enjoy this production.  If you’re not, you need to take this opportunity to make it’s acquaintance.

 

The show is playing at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City through January 21st.  For tickets and information on this show and future productions, click   HERE







							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the 2018 Kansas City Planet Comicon
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
What if you could go to a party and chat with Alice Cooper, John Cusack, Jason Mamoa, Danny Trejo and others?  You’d jump at the chance, of course!


Media Mikes is giving (4) lucky readers the chance to win weekend passes to the 2018 Kansas City Planet Comicon.  If you’ve ever attended, or read our annual write-ups, you know that Planet Comicon is THE Midwest convention and the one that all of the others strive to be.


All you have to do is let us know below what guest you would like to see at a future convention.  On February 14, (4) random commenters will be chosen to receive (2) weekend passes to attend the show.


Planet Comicon runs from February 16 -19, 2018 and will be held at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.  For more information click HERE


Good Luck!

							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “The Commuter”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Lionsgate Films to give (50) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new Liam Neeson thriller, “The Commuter.”


The screening will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the AMC Studio 28 in Olathe, Kansas and will start at 7:00 pm


All you have to do is click HERE.  The first (50) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the advance screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once all (50) passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended.


LINK HAS BEEN ACTIVATED – MY APOLOGIES – THANK YOU


 


The Commuter


                                 When:  Tuesday, January 9, 2018 – 7:00 pm                                                                       Where:  AMC Studio 28 Theatre – Olathe, Kansas



							
								

							

						

						
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GET OUT and CALL ME BY YOUR NAME Dominate the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 










GET OUT, writer/director Jordan Peele’s darkly funny horror film and CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, the story of a young boy who meets a visiting American while on vacation with his family, took home the lion’s share of prizes as the Kansas City Film Critics Circle handed out their 52nd Annual James Loutzenhizer Awards for the best in film for 2017.  Media Mikes writers Mike Smith and Jeremy Werner are members of the group.








GET OUT took home the prize as the Best Film of 2017.  In addition, Jordan Peele won for his Original Screenplay and the film was also named the winner of the Vince Koehler Award as the year’s best Science Fiction/Horror/Fantasy film.






CALL ME BY YOUR NAME earned recognition for Timothée Chalamet, who was named Best Actor as well as for it’s Adapted Screenplay, written by James Ivory (based on the novel by Andre Aciman).  The film also received the groups Dr. Tom Poe Award as the year’s best LBGT film.  The film shared the Adapted Screenplay award with LOGAN, written by Scott Frank, Michael Green and James Mangold, based on the popular Marvel Comics character.






Guillermo del Toro was named winner of the Robert Altman Award as the year’s Best Director for THE SHAPE OF WATER,  which also won the Best Actress award for Sally Hawkins.




The Kansas City Film Critics Circle is the second oldest film critics group in the country, founded in 1967 by Dr. James Loutzenhizer.  The group’s annual awards were named for Dr. Loutzenhizer after his passing in November 2001.




Here is a complete list of winners:




BEST FILM –  GET OUT


ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR – Guillermo det Toro, THE SHAPE OF WATER


BEST ACTOR –    Timothée Chalamet – CALL ME BY YOUR NAME


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR –  Willem Dafoe – THE FLORIDA PROJECT


BEST ACTRESS –  Sally Hawkins – THE SHAPE OF WATER


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Laurie Metcalf – LADY BIRD


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY –  Jordan Peele – GET OUT


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY –  James Ivory – CALL ME BY YOUR NAME/Scott Frank, Michael Green and James Mangold – LOGAN


BEST ANIMATED FEATURE –  COCO


BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM –  IN THE FADE (Germany)


BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE –  JANE


VINCE KOEHLER AWARD –  GET OUT


DR. TOM POE AWARD –  CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City premiere of “Downsizing”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Paramount to give (25) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the latest film by Alexander Payne, “Downsizing.”


The film, starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig and Christoph Waltz, will be screened on Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Cinemark Palace on the Plaza in Kansas City.  The screening will begin at 7:00 pm


All you have to do is click HERE.  The first (25) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway. When the allotted number of passes have been claimed the giveaway is over.


Good luck!  “Downsizing” opens nationwide on December 22nd


DOWNSIZING




Where:  Cinemark Palace on the Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri


When:  Monday, December 18, 2017 – 7:00 pm


 

							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Molly’s Game”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at STX Entertainment to give (20) of our readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film “Molly’s Game,” starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner.


 


The film, based on a true story and written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, will be shown on Monday, December 18, 2017 at the B & B Shawnee 18 Theatre and will begin at 7:00 pm.


 


All you have to do is click HERE  The first 20 readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway.   Once the allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended.  Good luck!


 


SYNOPSIS: MOLLY’S GAME is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.


WEBSITE: http://mollysgame.movie/


RATING: R for language, drug content and some violence


RUNNING TIME: 140 minutes

							
								

							

						

						
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Win tickets to the Kansas City Premiere of “All the Money in the World”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


 


 


 


Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Sony Pictures to give (25) of our readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the latest film from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, “All the Money in the World,” at an advance screening to be held on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the AMC Studio 30 in Olathe, Kansas.


 


The film, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Plummer and Michelle Williams tells the story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, whose grandfather, one of the richest men in the world, refused to pay the ransom.  The screening will begin at 7:00 pm.


All you have to do is click  HERE   


The first (25) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once the allotted number of passes have been claimed the giveaway is over.  Good luck!


 


“All the Money in the World”


Where:  AMC Studio 30 Theatre – Olathe, Kansas


When:  7:00 pm


 


 


“All the Money in the World” opens nationally on December 25, 2017


 


ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD follows the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother Gail (Michelle Williams) to convince his billionaire grandfather (Christopher Plummer) to pay the ransom.  When Getty Sr. refuses, Gail attempts to sway him as her son’s captors become increasingly volatile and brutal.  With her son’s life in the balance, Gail and Getty’s advisor (Mark Wahlberg) become unlikely allies in the race against time that ultimately reveals the true and lasting value of love over money.


 


 


 


 


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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “The Shape of Water”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


Media Mikes has teamed up with our friends at Fox Searchlight to give (50) of our readers and a guest the opportunity to be among the first to see director Guillermo del Toro’s latest film, “The Shape of Water.”


The screening will be on Monday, December 11, 2017 and will be held at the Cinemark Palace at the Plaza Theatre.  The screening will begin at 7:00 pm


All you have do do is click HERE


The first (50) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once the (50) passes have been claimed, the giveaway is ended.  Good luck!


 


 


 

							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City premiere of “Ferdinand”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


 


Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at 20th Century Fox to give (5) readers the chance to receive a family four-pack of tickets to the upcoming animated film “Ferdinand,” which will be shown on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the Cinemark 20 w/HD Theatre in Merriam, Kansas.  The screening will begin at 10:30 am


All you have to do is click HERE


The first (5) readers to do this will receive a pass for (4) to attend the screening.


This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once all allotted passes have been claimed the contest is over.  Good luck!


 






 



							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Last Flag Flying”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


 


Media Mikes has teamed up with our friends at Lionsgate Films to give (50) of our Kansas City-area readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film “Last Flag Flying,” starring Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne.


The screening will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017, at the Cinemark Palace on the Plaza Theatre and will be begin at 7:00 pm


All you have to do is head to: http://www.lionsgatescreenings.com/Anuqb53721 and download your pass.


This is a first come/first served giveaway.  Once (50) admit two passes have been downloaded the giveaway is ended.


Good luck!

							
								

							

						

						
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Another Successful Outing for Kansas City Comic Con
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
A super reunion and the “Comic Book Men” helped fill the halls of Bartle Hall over the weekend. Kansas City Comic Con, now in it’s third year, saw thousands upon thousands of people pass through the entrance between November 10th-12th.


Fans from all walks of life showed up for the weekend gathering. The “Superman: The Movie” 40th anniversary, which featured a two-hour panel and guests like Margot Kidder, Sarah Douglas, and local Jeff East, was the big draw. The other big draw was a visit by Filmmaker/Podcaster Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and the men behind the AMC show “Comic Book Men.”


There was plenty to do, including lively panels, events on the main floor, and meeting celebrities, animators, creators, cosplayers and othersw. During the hustle and bustle, the MediaMikes crew met fans of the website and garnished new fans with a booth featuring “Superman” memorabilia and a few free promotional items.


In a city full of cons throughout the year, Kansas City Comic Con has sliced out it’s own piece of the year to entertain and reward those in attendance. MediaMikes looks forward to working with and joining Kansas City Comic Con in 2018.


Photos by Dan Lybarger



 “Superman” display at the MediaMikes table
 Lee Meriwether is all-in for “Justice League”
 Ron Burgundy setting up for a live shot
 A couple of Supermen taking in the MediaMikes memorabilia display
 The “Comic Book Men” enjoying the latest issue of “Good Housekeeping” featuring Deadpool
 “It” cosplay is in this year
 A “Ghostbusters” and “TMNT” crossover
							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Wonder”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
Media Mikes has teamed up with our friends at Lionsgate to give (20) readers and a guest the opportunity to attend the Kansas City premiere of “Wonder” starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay.




The screening will be held on Wednesday, November 15th at the AMC Barrywoods Theatre and will begin at 7:00 pm




All you have to do is go to:  http://www.lionsgatescreenings.com/lHMAc89467  and download your pass.




This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once (20) admit 2 passes have been downloaded, the giveaway is over.  




Good luck!




WONDER




When:  Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 7:00 p.m.




Where:  AMC Barrywoods Theatre


Kansas City, Missouri




#ChooseKind     #WonderTheMovie









							
								

							

						

						
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Win Passes to the Kansas City premiere of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
Media Mikes has teamed up with our friends at Fox Searchlight to give (75) readers and a guest the opportunity to attend the Kansas City premiere of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell.




The screening will be held on Monday, November 13th at the Cinemark Palace on the Plaza and will begin at 7:00 pm




All you have to do is go to:   http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/yHjLT81381  and download your pass.




This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once (75) admit 2 passes have been downloaded the giveaway is over.




Good luck!




PS:  There is no Ebbing, Missouri.  🙂




THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI




When:  Monday, November 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m.




Where:  Cinemark Palace on the Plaza


Kansas City, Missouri




#ThreeBillboards







							
								

							

						

						
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WIN PASSES TO ATTEND A SPECIAL KANSAS CITY SCREENING OF THE CULT CLASSIC “THE ROOM”
	


	

					

						
     					

     						

								

									
 


 


What do you call a film that is SO unusual…has such a cult following…that James Franco is starring in a film depicting the making of said film?  You’d call that film “The Room.”


In anticipation of the aforementioned James Franco film, “The Disaster Artist,” our good friends at the Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse is presenting a special screening of “The Room” and we want to give (5) of our readers and a guest the chance to attend.  The screening will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 and will begin at 7:00 pm


All you have to do is let us know below what film you think could inspire it’s own “making of” film?  Behind the scenes with the Munchkins on “The Wizard of Oz?”  Hanging out in the Shire for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy?  It’s up to you.


This giveaway will run through Monday, November 6th and will end at 10:00 pm CST.  At that time, (5) random winners will be selected and those winners will be notified by email.


Good luck!

							
								

							

						

						
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